Interviews: Heathen Hearts

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Hardcore band, Heathen Hearts from Finland. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE. 

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

Juhana: Our vocalist Antti came up with the name and we all supported the idea 100%. The name resonates with the freedom of choice that everyone has, be it religious or other matters. Being free from dogmatic thinking and institutions that determine what you should believe and how you should think. Being free of oppression. Free to think as you like and live your life as you like. Everyone should respect each other's freedom to do so. We see the opposite too much in this world. So the name Heathen Hearts has the feel of that freedom and we live by it as well.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Ville: I've always loved hardcore metal for its groove, no matter how fast you thrash it or how slow you break it down 

Jere: Metal, in general, has been a huge part of my youth and growing up, as well as punk and hardcore a little bit later in life. I had a band, music-wise somewhat close to what Heathen Hearts is doing about ten years ago so when I was asked to join this group to play some kind of symbiosis of metal and hardcore I was immediately in. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?  

Ville: I, Juhana, and Lauri have played together in the same band for years but we all also have known each other for many years.

Jere: I’ve been playing in the past with Lauri, playing in a few same events with Ville, and partied a couple of times with Antti but I wouldn’t say I knew the guys before joining the band except Lauri. Juhana was someone I hadn't even met before we started playing together.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Ville: At this time in the metal genre Get The Shot and VOLA, but I have a special place in my heart for Phil Collins and Michael Bolton. 

Juhana: Wardruna. In the metal genre, there are too many favorites to mention just one. 

Jere: Cannot name, it because I listen to a lot of music from rap to pop and from punk to black metal and all music works in different kinds of moods. Or maybe Iron Maiden just because it started my interest in playing guitar and forming a band, which I’m still listening to this day. 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Jere: It is a spontaneous thing usually. Melody, rhythm, or riff that just pops up out of nowhere, and then I start recording demo’s around the small ideas. White wine is a good igniter of inspiration though. I don’t necessarily get any “inspiration” about life in general, or maybe lyric-wise a bit, but Antti is mainly handling the lyrical part so won’t dive into that.   

6. Where was your last gig?

Ville: Sep 17th in Lucky Monkeys in Lappeenranta, Finland with the awesome Harms and War Against The Sun. It was a hot and sweaty gig but we loved every second of it and the audience! 

7. Where would you like to perform?

Ville: All over the world! But to be serious, summer festivals would be a dream to play at. 

Jere: Agreed with Ville. 

Juhana: All cool clubs and festivals all over the world. 

8. Whom would you like to perform with? 

Jere: Anybody who’s having as much fun as we are. It’s fun to play with somewhat similar bands, but it is also quite nice to have different genres in one event. But maybe opening up for bigger metallic hardcore bands like Terror, Madball, Comeback kid, Get the Shot, etc. would be kind of a dream come true. They would wipe the floor with us though. 

9. Whom not? 

Jere: Anybody even close to sharing racist or inequality values. 

10. Have any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Ville: Know your shit! When you know your songs back and forth you can just concentrate on the show and let it all just flow. 

Juhana: Nervousness before the show is normal and can actually give a huge adrenaline rush and energy to the stage. I’ve done shows with different bands for a long time and still get nervous before the show. It’s part of the game. But as Ville put it, know your stuff! And don’t drown your nervousness with too much alcohol before the show…If you feel like it there is plenty of time after. Haha! 

Jere: Every single time. I’ve been playing live more or less for fifteen years now and it doesn’t get any easier. Still to this day I’m shaking just before going into the stage so unfortunately no tips from here. Thank god it eases once you hit the first few notes and after that it’s just a pure pleasure and euphoria. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Jere: Iron maiden for just guitar playing. I don’t necessarily find any inspiration for the songwriting standpoint from other musicians or bands but Terror & Obey the Brave has this certain vibe and genuine aggression in their music which speaks to me.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Jere: Well nothing that weird has been asked but an autograph just because I don’t understand why anybody would want my signature anywhere. 

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Ville: We are slowly growing our fan base but the fans are the thing why we do this. Nothing is better than to see all those crazy mf's starting a circle pit!  

Juhana: We also do music to express ourselves and if you see someone liking what you do, it is the best thing in the world! We hope we can deliver meaningful music that evokes feelings in other people. 

14. What do you think of our site? 

Jere: Simple layout with very clear navigation. A lot of interesting content and features, and I like very much the fact that you have listed separately all the bands you have featured on your site, and also given bands a chance to submit their music for your Spotify playlist and Bandcamp page. Will dig in more for sure! 

15. Something to add?

Jere: If you are into music, keep supporting the bands by buying music online, buying records and merchandise, and going to the live shows. That’s the only way the bands can keep on doing what they are doing! Thank you Breathing the Core for featuring us, this was a pleasure!